A Course on the Introduction to Quantum Software Engineering: Experience Report

TL;DR

The paper addresses the gap in quantum computing education where software engineering concerns are underrepresented. It presents a cross-listed undergraduate–graduate elective that frames quantum programming as a software engineering problem and anchors learning with executable artifacts. Its contributions include a transferable course design template, a modular pedagogy aligned with a QSE roadmap, and an assessment model for mixed audiences, plus actionable instructor guidance. The first offering shows that students with minimal prior quantum background can engage with QSE when foundational understanding is demonstrated through executable artifacts, with project-based synthesis and tooling realism driving engagement. The findings support replication and adaptation of QSE curricula in SE education and outline directions for future refinement.

Abstract

Quantum computing is increasingly practiced through programming, yet most educational offerings emphasize algorithmic or framework-level use rather than software engineering concerns such as testing, abstraction, tooling, and lifecycle management. This paper reports on the design and first offering of a cross-listed undergraduate--graduate course that frames quantum computing through a software engineering lens, focusing on early-stage competence relevant to software engineering practice. The course integrates foundational quantum concepts with software engineering perspectives, emphasizing executable artifacts, empirical reasoning, and trade-offs arising from probabilistic behaviour, noise, and evolving toolchains. Evidence is drawn from instructor observations, student feedback, surveys, and analysis of student work. Despite minimal prior exposure to quantum computing, students were able to engage productively with quantum software engineering topics once a foundational understanding of quantum information and quantum algorithms, expressed through executable artifacts, was established. This experience report contributes a modular course design, a scalable assessment model for mixed academic levels, and transferable lessons for software engineering educators developing quantum computing curricula.